Cancer occurs when normal cells pass through a transformation process that results in cells multiplying out of control. These cells form a different plant or tumor than the original tissue. Tumors are harmful because they use oxygen, nutrients and space of healthy cells spread, consequently, it damages or reduces tissue effort to function normally.
Causes of Lung Cancer
- Smoking (90%), whether active or passive, is a major cause of lung cancer. Research since 1950 has shown clearly the association between cigarettes and lung cancer.
- Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, many of which have been identified as the cause of lung cancer
- Smoke 20 cigarettes a day is at risk of 20 to 25 times getting lung cancer when compared with those who do not smoke.
- When someone quit smoking, the risk of developing lung cancer is reduced. Approximately after 15 years of quitting, the risk of lung cancer decreases just like someone who has never smoked.
- Smoke a cigar or pipe also increases the risk of developing lung cancer.
Other causes of lung cancer are
- Family history (82%) higher in people whose sibling has/has lung cancer
- 25 - 37% higher in people whose parent has/has lung cancer
- Air pollution from car smoke, factory smoke or someone whose smoking near you and you inhale the smoke
- Exposure to asbestos poses a risk of getting lung cancer 9 times
- The combination of cigarette smoke and asbestos increases the risk of as high as 50 times. ''Mesothelioma'' (cancer originally from the lining of lung membrane) is closely related to exposure to asbestos
- Lung diseases such as tuberculosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) also increase the risk of a person to get lung cancer
- Exposure to radon/radium (substances that occur from uranium) is also a risk of lung cancer.
- Jobs exposed to arsenic, chromium, nickel, aromatic and ether hydrocarbon can also increase the risk of lung cancer.
What is Lung Cancer Symptoms?
- You may have no symptoms or you have symptoms such as cough or shortness of breath that you may have associated with the respiratory system. However, lung cancer symptoms include:
- Chronic cough that lasts longer than 8 weeks
- Also a chronic cough due to cigarette smoke, cough that getting worse day by day
- Pain in the chest, shoulder, and back is prolonged and more painful if you breathe long
- Sound breath (Abnormal breath)
- Swelling the neck or face
- Loss of appetite and losing weight
- Feeling too tired and weak
- Often get lung infections or ''pneumonia''
- The shape of the fingertip or legs changes and bulges
When is the time to see a doctor?
It is advisable to see a doctor when the following occurs
- There are symptoms of lung cancer
- Drastic weight loss (you're not on a diet or trying to lose weight)
- Feels body ill but the cause is unknown
Immediately go to the doctor if
Prevention
There is currently no cost-effective way to detect lung cancer or to prevent lung cancer, but you can reduce your risk if you stop smoking and do not inhale smoke from another smoker. Wear face mask anywhere you go, we can't control the air. The best is to use a face mask.
